IT’S another huge fight for boxing fans to enjoy tonight as IBF and WBA champion Anthony Joshua attempts to add Joseph Parker’s WBO crown to his collection, in what is the first heavyweight unification fight between two undefeated boxers since Iron Mike Tyson defeated Tony Tucker by unanimous decision 31 years ago in Las Vegas.
Cardiff is tonight’s venue and with both fighters coming in lighter than they have been in several years, this one is sure to entertain, with neither fighter wanting to lose their titles and unbeaten record. A future bout with WBC champion Deontay Wilder and the chance to be the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis awaits.
This should be a keenly fought contest, with Parker’s movement and combinations having the potential to cause Joshua problems. However, Joshua has shown durability and the ability to knock opponents out late on in his more recent fights. His lighter weight should alleviate concerns about his stamina and I expect this fight to end in a similar vein, as Joshua’s power should wear the durable and competitive Parker down and produce the stoppage in the latter half of the fight.
Recommendations
Big stakes
- Joshua win 2/9 with Ladbrokes
- Joshua to win by KO/TKO/DQ 7/17 with Marathon Bet
Medium stakes
- Joshua in rounds 7-12 is 9/5 with Ladbrokes
- Joshua in rounds 9-12 is 4/ with Ladbrokes
Small stakes
- Joshua in rounds 9-10 is 7/1 with Unibet
- Joshua in round 9 at 14/1 with William Hill
Joshua has been down and shaken badly in previous fights, so both fighters to be knocked down may also be worth a look at 9/1 with Betway.
Both fighters to be knocked down and Joshua to win by KO/TKO is 14/1 with William Hill
Long shots
- Joshua to be knocked down in rounds 1-6 and Joshua to win in round 9 – 125/1 with William Hill (#YourOdds section)
- Both fighters to be knocked down in rounds 1-9 and Joshua to win in round 10 or 11 – 100/1 with Sky Bet (Request a Bet section)
- Both fighters to be knocked down and Joshua to win by KO/TKO in rounds 9-12 40/1 with Sky Bet (Request a Bet section)
- Joshua to be knocked down and win in rounds 7-9 – 28/1 with Bet Victor (#PriceItUp section)
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The Undercard
The undercard has some interesting bouts to whet the appetite. First up Anthony Crolla, on a journey back to world title level and with a great win over Ricky Burns in his last fight, shouldn’t have too many problems in seeing off mid-level fighter Edson Ramirez.
Power has never been Crolla’s greatest attribute and Ramirez hasn’t lost since 2012, although he hasn’t fought anyone of note in that period. Crolla should have enough to secure a comfortable points win and can be backed to do so at 5/6 with William Hill.
Next is exciting prospect Josh Kelly against Carlos Molina for the vacant WBA international welterweight title. Taylor is a much hyped young fighter and is certainly fancied by the bookies at 1/33, which doesn’t appeal for what is essentially a young unproven fighter up against an established and competent operator in Molina. Molina has never been stopped but is an ageing fighter so Taylor in rounds 6-10 at 2/1 with Ladbrokes appeals in this one.
Northern Irishman Ryan Burnett defends his world WBA (Super) Bantamweight title against mandatory challenger Yonfrez Parejo. Like Crolla, Burnett is looking to bigger fights in the future but will need to ensure he gets past Parejo tonight.
Burnett should have too much class for the Venezuelan who has not shown anything to date to suggest he is more than a decent fighter. Burnett’s last 7 fights have ended in decision victories and expect more of the same tonight. Burnett on points is 20/21 with bet365.
Finally on the undercard it is the accomplished and dangerous Alexander Povetkin against David Price. Once vaunted as one of the biggest prospects in heavyweight boxing, Price’s career has been in freefall since 2013 and it is surely win or bust for the 34 year old tonight.
Povetkin meanwhile has headier aspirations and may find himself in against the winner of Joshua v Parker fighting for a world title should be see off Price as expected. Price’s stamina is in question having ran out of steam badly a year ago in a 7th round TKO defeat to Christian Hammer, who Povetkin subsequently beat on points in December.
I can’t see Price having too much success against someone is a class above in Povetkin. Povetkin’s last two wins have been decision victories and at 38, his power may be on the wane. The bookies expect an early Povetkin knock out but I think there is value in Price having the heart to take this one to the middle or even later rounds. Povetkin in rounds 4-6 is 13/5 with Marathon Bet. Povetkin in rounds 5-8 is 3/1 with Paddy Power
Undercard recommendations
- The Burnett and Crolla picks as a double pays 2.66/1 with William Hill.
- Add Kelly in rounds 6-10 for a treble that pays 8.91/1 with Ladbrokes
- Add Povetkin in rounds 4-6 for the fourfold that is a tasty 27.45/1 with Ladbrokes
Good luck fight fans!
Hi Danny, good to have the boxing thread back. Hopefully it’s as profitable as the last one. I’m along the same lines as you on the big one. He’s my thoughts:
Joshua v Parker
Like most I’m taking Joshua – but I think it goes long(er). What’s swayed it for me is the weight of the two men. Both have come in light (relatively speaking) which to me indicates they’re both thinking that speed and fitness are the key to this fight, rather than power. Obviously in any Joshua fight there’s the potential for him to end his opponent early, but it would appear that Parker has a solid chin having allegedly never ever been down even in sparring.
Given that line of thinking I’ve searched through the various markets and the one than appeals most is an unusual one. SkyBet are doing a ‘Double Chance’ on Joshua to win either rounds 7-12 or on points.
Joshua Double Chance (7-12/Points) 11/10 (SkyBet)
Might also have a small stake on Joshua by Unanimous Decision 13/2 (Bet365)
Kelly v Molina
The other fight on the card that’ll I’ll be having an interest on is this one. It’s a funny one because on the face of it Kelly is an unbackably short favourite, yet at the same time this is a very, very risky fight for someone having only their 6th pro fight. Molina is an ex-world champion who’s best days are probably behind him – but he’s mixed it at the top level and it’s unlikely he’s “shot” just yet.
To me this screams distance fight. Molina’s never been stopped and Kelly, whilst obviously an exceptional boxer, has yet to demonstrate real power (something I fear might hold him back at the real elite level). Considering that I believe Kelly will have too much variety and movement for Molina but I expect Molina’s experience will enable him to hear the final bell.
Kelly by Decision/Techincal Decision 11/8 (SkyBet)
Hi Ste,
Cheers, its a good night of boxing ahead. Probably too much to ask for a repeat of last time but profit again would be great!
Thats a great shout on the double chance market with Sky. I reckon Joshua has this one but it shouldn’t be early. I think its definitely feasible that Parker can take him the full 12 rounds, particularly with the weights being as they are. The UD is definitely worth a punt if you’re thinking points comes into play. I think Joshua wants to make a statement and will go looking for the knock out even if leading on the cards.
Considered points in the Kelly fight as well for the reasons you’ve mentioned and also because its a ten rounder. But for me I think this might be the fight that Molina begins to show his age (I think that may have come into the thinking in Kelly taking the fight, otherwise its a far bigger risk than is worth taking at this stage). I expect Kelly to be comfortably up on the cards towards the end and I reckon the accumulation will get Molina out of there, but again its feasible he goes the distance so its a decent price youve got on the decision victory.
Good luck on your punts.
Good shout on Kelly Ste. Seemed more interested in showboating in the later rounds there. Think that was masking the lack of power. Good win for him though.
Yeah pretty much went as I expected. He claimed he didn’t push as he didn’t not want to hurt his hands as him and Ritson are due to headline a big show up here in June. Not sure I completely buy that but nonetheless a very good display. He’ll definitely progress towards the very top end of the division I think.
Not expecting too much from Crolla’s opponent now although have to confess to having never seen him before.
Not buying that from Kelly either mate. If you can make a statement on this stage, you make it imo.
Crolla and Burnett went as expected for me. Onto the business end now…..
Aye, good job on the Crolla/Burnett double.
This Price fight could be a difficult watch.
Another top shout! Great effort by Price mind.
Fancy AJ win in the 6th and is part of a wee treble
I took Burnett to win by decision and Povetkin to win between round 4-6
Superb guys
After reading the great preview above lads respect ?
Top stuff Ste!!
Yep, nice result for me. Not a great fight tho. Parker managed to largely nullify Joshua but completely at the expense of his own offence. Scorecards maybe a little wide but right guy won.
Feels like an anti-climax when the main event goes like that but all in all a reasonably enjoyable nights boxing I felt.
Just a quick one to finish. SkyBet have got a ‘Who will Joshua fight next’ market. Wilder is 13/8 favourite but Jarrell Miller is 5/2. Miller looks good to me because he’s promoted by Matchroom and from listening to interviews I believe Eddie Hearn would ideally like summer fights between Joshua v Miller (in America) and Wilder v Whyte (in UK) to build a Joshu v Wilder fight at the end of the year.
Probably worth listening to interviews with the likes of Hearn tonight/tomorrow but I reckon they fancy the Miller fight next.
One point to argue against it – did anyone think Joshua hurt his right hand towards the end of the fight?